House to Home

Brrr… this weather is a cold one and we aren’t seeing signs of it getting warmer anytime soon! What tips exist out there to help us in these extreme temperatures? I’m so glad you asked! I stumbled upon a wonderful set of 8 tips to get us through these icy days without spending all our money on staying warm. I’ve listed them below but for more information check out the link at the end of this post!

You can totally disregard the information below if you have $18,000.00 laying around that you are hoping to get rid of. You see that is the average claim for damage from a frozen pipe reported by the Hartford Insurance Co. So, if you are smart (and I know you are) you’ll take steps to keep your pipes from freezing!

Step #1

If some of your pipes are not going to be in use like sprinkler lines, garden hose or pool—you will want to get the water out of those pipes. Shut off the water valves then open up the spigots letting any remaining water drip out.

Homes are totally sellable in winter. In fact, if someone is looking to buy your home in the winter months, they’re probably in a hurry. But here are some key factors, according to Zillow Porchlight’s Brendon Desimone, to selling in the winter-time.

We take a lot of pride in our porches. From fall through winter, festive porch design is a must. But don’t wear yourself out arranging pumpkins and gourds, just to swap them for wreaths and garlands a few weeks later.

The worst of winter is right around the corner and there are a lot of things that most people already do to prepare; things like purchasing a new ice scraper, coat or anti-freeze are common, but what about your home?

There are things you can (and should) do to prepare your home for winter.

1. Chimney – If you have an active chimney, have it cleaned once a year (before winter). This will prevent build up and keep your chimney in safe, working order.

2. Water heater – It may seem contradictory, but heating your water heater can actually save you about 9% in heating costs. Purchase a proper sized insulation blanket and wrap it around the water heater.

3. Foundation – Inspect the foundation of your home and seal any cracks where heat could escape.

4. Roof – Prevent ice dams by installing ice shields on your roof.

5. Thermostat – If you haven’t yet, check out smart thermostats. These nifty devices control the temperature in your home automatically – adjusting it as you come and go.